"Jeff Lemire has created a moving, brilliant, and fiercely original
work about loss, longing, and love. Full of piercing moments that will
stay with you for long after you've finished reading, The Underwater Welder
is a testament to the basic truth that down in the depths or up on
land, there's nothing more haunting and wondrous than the human heart.
A masterpiece of visual storytelling."-- Scott Snyder (Batman, Swamp Thing, American Vampire)

"The most spectacular episode of The Twilight Zone that was never produced. I really, really care about the people in this story... And I can pretty much guarantee you will too."-- From the introduction by Damon Lindelof (LOST, Star Trek, Prometheus)

As an underwater welder on an oilrig off the coast of Nova Scotia, Jack Joseph is used to the immense pressures of deep-sea work. Nothing, however, could prepare him for the pressures of impending fatherhood. As Jack dives deeper and deeper, he seems to pull further and further away from his young wife and their unborn son. Then one night, deep in the icy solitude of the ocean floor, something unexplainable happens. Jack has a mysterious and supernatural encounter that will change the course of his life forever.

Equal parts blue-collar character study and mind-bending mystery, The Underwater Welder is a graphic novel about fathers and sons, birth and death, memory and reality, and the treasures we all bury deep below the surface.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

My first issue as writer of DC Comics Supernatural/Superhero mash-up Justice League Dark is out tomorrow and features some of my favourite characters from the DC Universe including John Constantine and Black Orchid.

I wrote my first issue as a totally accessible jumping-on point for new readers, but I thought some people might like a few suggestions of other comics and graphic novels that might help inform them on the rich and eclectic histories of these characters. So these are my Top 5 Recommended Reading Suggestions after you finish JLD #9...

1. HELLBLAZER: ORIGINAL SINS by Jamie Delano and John Ridgeway: These first half dozen issues of the monthly Vertigo series, Hellblazer, are a great primer for the Justice League Dark's master manipulator/leader John Constantine and his twisted world. Delano mixes horror with a sharp political edge and gives you a quintessential Constantine tale.

2. BLACK ORCHID by NEIL GAIMAN and DAVE McKEAN: Recently re-released in a beautiful deluxe hardcover edition this stunningly illustrated story introduces us to the Vertigo version of the Black Orchid character. Neil Gaiman's poetic prose and McKean's lush illustration make this a must have. While the version of Black Orchid that appears in JLD is a brand new take on the character, I still recommend this book.

3. HELLBLAZER: DANGEROUS HABITS by Garth Ennis and Will Simpson: Delano's first story is a great primer to the world of Constantine, but it is probably Garth Ennis' take on the character that really hooked me when I was a teenager. While Delano provided Constantine with a post-Thatcher political edge, it was Ennis who made him a tragic romantic. A fool for love who damages everything, and everyone he touches. Some of my favourite comics.

4. SEVEN SOLDIERS OF VICTORY: ZATANNA by Grant Morrison and Ryan Sook: All the 7 Soldiers mini-series are terrific, but Zatanna is a key player in JLD and the series' artist Ryan Sook is also our cover artist, so this is an essential read in many respects. This is a great intro to the character of Zatanna and Sook's art is gorgeous.

5. DEADMAN by Neil Adams: I love writing the character of Boston Brand aka Deadman. These classic stories by comics legend Neil Adams tell the origin and early adventures of Deadman as he searches for his killer. Adams art never looked better.

And in addition to these I would also be remiss if I didn't recommend Alan Moore's Swamp Thing run. There would be no Constantine, no Vertigo and no Justice League Dark without Mr. Moore's incredible comics.

Friday, May 18, 2012

My run as the new writer of DC Comics' JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK title begins this Wednesday with Issue #9. Series artist Mikel Janin and I have a huge story planned that ties the "Dark" corners of the New 52 DC Universe to Geoff Johns and Jim Lee's flagship Justice League book.

In addition to a great cast of characters that includes JOHN CONSTANTINE, DEADMAN and ZATANNA, the series will also mark the return and/or reinvention of old fan favourite characters such as BLACK ORCHID as well as a few other surprises.

Monday, May 14, 2012

The first part of the long awaited crossover between ANIMAL MAN and SWAMP THING begins this July with issues #12 of both series. Co-written by myself and Scott Snyder, Rotworld will be feature art by Yanick Paquette and Steve Pugh.

Buddy Baker and Alec Holland join forces to lead a pre-emptive strike deep into The Rot, the consequences of which will tear both of their worlds apart forever. Running in both series through to Issue #17 ROTWORLD is an epic superhero/horror story that Scott and I have been busy planning for the last year.

Here's the first look at the joining covers for Issue #12 of each series by Steve Pugh, Yanick Paquette and Nathan Fairbairn.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

"The most spectacular episode of The Twilight Zone that was never produced. I really, really care about the people in this story... And I can pretty much guarantee you will too." -- From the introduction by Damon Lindelof (LOST, Star Trek, Prometheus)

"With The Underwater Welder, Jeff Lemire has created a moving, brilliant, and fiercely original work about loss, longing, and love. Full of piercing moments that will stay with you for long after you've finished reading, The Underwater Welder is a testament to the basic truth that down in the depths or up on land, there's nothing more haunting and wondrous than the human heart. A masterpiece of visual storytelling." -- Scott Snyder (Batman, Swamp Thing,American Vampire)

Above are a few never before released pages from my upcoming graphic novel, THE UNDERWATER WELDER. The book will be in next months PREVIEWS catalogue so be sure to ask you r local comic book shop to pre-order you a copy! Full info below...

The Underwater Welder

As an underwater welder on an oilrig off the coast of Nova Scotia, Jack Joseph is used to the immense pressures of deep-sea work. Nothing, however, could prepare him for the pressures of impending fatherhood. As Jack dives deeper and deeper, he seems to pull further and further away from his young wife and their unborn son. Then one night, deep in the icy solitude of the ocean floor, something unexplainable happens. Jack has a mysterious and supernatural encounter that will change the course of his life forever.

Equal parts blue-collar character study and mind-bending mystery, The Underwater Welder is a graphic novel about fathers and sons, birth and death, memory and reality, and the treasures we all bury deep below the surface.

Monday, May 7, 2012

As announced to on the DC COMICS/VERTIGO BLOG, Issue #40, shipping in December of this year will be the FINAL ISSUE of my monthly series SWEET TOOTH.

To be clear, THE BOOK HAS NOT BEEN CANCELLED by DC Comics. The decision to end Sweet Tooth is totally my own and based on the natural conclusion of the story I've been building over the last three years. I'd like to thank Dan Didio, Geoff Johns, Jim Lee and Karen Berger for all of there support of the book. I'd also like to thank all of the amazing editors I've worked with on Sweet tooth, Bob Schreck, Brandon Montclare, Pornsak Pichetshote, Greg Lockhard and Mark Doyle.

My full thoughts on the conclusion of Sweet Tooth can be read here on Vertigo's Blog and you can also read my collaborator Jose Villarrubia's thoughts here.

Fans of Sweet Tooth, and my other creator owned work, can expect announcements on my next creator owned projects later this year!

Until then, Gus, Jepperd and I thank you for all of your the support. The final storyline, THE WILD KINGDOM, begins with #36 and will conclude with a DOUBLE-SIZED, FULLY-PAINTED #40 in December and I'm confident in saying that it will be the best work I've ever done! Also Issues 36-39 will feature 4-interlocking covers that create one big Sweet Tooth image. The first part of which is featured above!